I have no idea...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
deeda said:
No you cannot use that type as a permanent floor support because it is oil filled and can potentially 'bleed off' and slowly retract.

You are actually looking for something called a lally column or pole.
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Your thinking of a hydraulic jack. I agree with you, a hydraulic jack would be a bad idea as it would bleed. But, the OP is looking at screw jacks, no hydraulics, I do not see why these would not work. Having said that I think an adjustable support designed for construction use would be preferred. Your local big box hardware store should have then in various lengths.
 
Hello;
The poles being described are made of metal tubes with a threaded bolt and a flat metal plate on top. They are often long, eight feet or more. They are placed in intervals, often in a full basement, to provide support for a main floor beam to which the other floor joists are attached. I suppose that you could cut them to make them fit in a three foot space. There may also be some that are short enough, that is something I have never looked for. They are meant to be permanent and the threaded bolt will snug up to the floor. The diameter of the poles will vary depending on the weight they are designed to carry
There may also be some other sort of pre-made device to do the same thing at the hardware stores. You might ask at a store.
Look under the floor again. My guess is that there are pillars of some sort spaced out under there that support the floor. You might get lucky and have one of those under the floor where you plan to put the tank. If so that could be one of the support columns you need.
Also to consider is placing the tank along a wall and with the long length running perpendicular to the floor joists. In this case the foundation under the wall will support the extra weight. This will reduce the number of new supports that you will have to add to the area in front of the tank.
Considering the amount of weight you posted about, it may be a good idea to sister (fasten new boards onto the sides of the joists that are already there.) some extra floor joists under the area of the floor. This will help carry the extra weight to which ever type of support you decide to use.
It may be in your best interest to hire someone to brace the floor. From your posts it appears that you have limited experience with this sort of thing. You also appear to be considering a tank of over 6000 pounds (if I read correctly), which is a lot of weight. It may well be that whatever supports you decide to use will require a new footer be put into the ground. This could mean digging a hole a couple of feet deep and pouring cement in it. A hard task in a three foot crawl space.
At any rate you are asking the right questions. I agree with the others that you do not want to use hydraulic jacks. There are screw jacks that consist of thick metal with a hefty threaded shaft that extends from around a foot to maybe 18 inches, at least the one that I have is this size. They could be left in place, but are pricey. Good luck

 
If you are looking to brace the floor for a monster tank you could use 4x4 fence posts. Cut to size and use post brackets to attach to the rafters.. If the floor under the post isn't concrete then shim the post with a piece of concrete. I built a 382g, 8' long tank using the 4x4 method of support..It worked out great. I supported the floor for a fraction of the cost of the metal floor joists..

Good luck,
Chris
 
pi-eyed said:
If you are looking to brace the floor for a monster tank you could use 4x4 fence posts. Cut to size and use post brackets to attach to the rafters.. If the floor under the post isn't concrete then shim the post with a piece of concrete. I built a 382g, 8' long tank using the 4x4 method of support..It worked out great. I supported the floor for a fraction of the cost of the metal floor joists..

Good luck,
Chris
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This seems the easiest to me, someone who's never done anything like this before. I think I'm gonna try this. The floor in the crawlspace is indeed dirt... could I use one of those concrete cinder blocks to lay the fence posts on?
 
No, a cinder block will crack and break.
 
Juxtaroberto said:
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This seems the easiest to me, someone who's never done anything like this before. I think I'm gonna try this. The floor in the crawlspace is indeed dirt... could I use one of those concrete cinder blocks to lay the fence posts on?
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Cinder blocks will probably crack.. What I would use are concrete patio blocks for the base of the 4x4. Or once you have it all mapped out, dig down where you want your supports and pour concrete pads for your 4x4's to sit on. You will want to space the 4x4's evenly under the middle of the tank. Another word of advice, place your tank near an outside wall of the house..This will help support the weight.

----Chris
 
Hello; Since your floors are dirt, something will need to go onto the ground to keep whatever type pole or brace from sinking under the weight. Cinder blocks have the strength to support weight. Some sort of bed under the cinder blocks will help. Maybe the type of gravel with a lot of limestone dust would be useful. Dig a hole foot or two in diameter and a foot or so deep. Put the gravel in, pack it down and make it level. You could put a layer of the solid blocks down side by side and some pressure treated boards or thick plywood on top of the blocks to spread the weight and lessen the chance of the blocks cracking. Gravel - flat blocks - 3/4 inch pressure treated plywood - length of pressure treated 2x10 - 4x4 post - bracket to fasten post to floor joists with an extra new floor joist fastened to the side of the existing joist. On top of the pressure treated wood you can put whatever type of post or jack you decide to use. (Still figgure a cement footer would be best)
 
i wouldnt used that jack if i was you my dad used it on the house the replace a poll and the whole thing just gave out and calapsed....
 
Google "structural piers" and you will find more than enough info on the many ways to do it right.

For instance, helical piers, one of several structural piers, will actually raise an entire homes foundation after its been sinking.
 
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